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More than 133,000 students from 221 elementary schools in San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties recently participated in the ultimate literacy program as part of the annual Lefty’s Reading Challenge. The month-long reading program encourages students to read and earn tickets to a NASCAR race, a chance to win funds for their school library, and a school-wide pizza party.

With participation at an all-time high, the winning schools’ efforts were truly remarkable with 552 teachers having 100% classroom participation and completion. Representatives from each winning school will participate in a check presentation at the NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive4Clots.com 300 race on Saturday March 21.

Thirteen schools won from the three different counties including:

N. Tamarind Elementary, Fontana Unified School District

Shadow Hills Elementary, Fontana Unified School District

Ted Porter Elementary, Fontana Unified School District

Etiwanda Colony Elementary, Etiwanda Unified School District

Ramona Elementary, Moreno Valley Unified School District

Rio Vista Elementary, Palm Springs Unified School District

Columbia Elementary, Val Verde Unified School District

Triple Crown Elementary, Val Verde Unified School District

Central Elementary, Central School District

Lake Arrowhead Elementary, Rim of the World School District

Mountain View ,Claremont Unified School District

Los Molinos Elementary, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District

J. Marion Roynon Elementary, Bonita Unified School District

Each student who participated in Lefty’s Reading Challenge and submitted their permission slip will receive an official Certificate of Completion along with a voucher that can be redeemed for a ticket to NASCAR Qualifying Day on March 20 or the NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive4Clots.com 300 race on March 21. In addition, students will receive a membership card to Lefty’s Kids Club which gets them into the race for free.

If a child was unable to participate in Lefty’s Reading Challenge this year, families can still bring children 12 years and under, and sign up for Lefty’s Kids Club on race day at Gates A and D and receive free admission.

During NASCAR weekend, kids and families can enjoy Lefty’s Fun Zone including a special story time with NASCAR Driver, AJ Allmendinger on Sunday, March 22 at 9 a.m. Lefty’s Fun Zone offers kids and their families fun activities like Bubble Rollers, slot car racing, pinewood derby race tracks, face painting, and photo opportunities.

Since 2009, The NASCAR Foundation and Auto Club Speedway Foundation have committed to the philanthropic efforts of this program. The challenge, named after Auto Club Speedway Kids Club President, Lefty, is part of Auto Club Speedway’s heralded youth initiative. For more information on Lefty’s Reading Challenge, please visit www.leftyskidsclub.com or call Auto Club Speedway at (909) 429-5611.

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About Auto Club Speedway: Located 50 miles east of Los Angeles in Fontana, Auto Club Speedway is California’s premier motorsports facility, hosting over 320 days of track activity each year including the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 weekend in March and the MAVTV 500 Verizon INDYCAR Series in June. The two-mile D-shaped oval is one of the fastest tracks on the INDYCAR and NASCAR circuits. The Speedway is also home to numerous movies, television and commercial productions, photo shoots, new car testing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. For more information on events at Auto Club Speedway call 1-800-944-RACE (7223) or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com. For information on event lodging, visit the Hilton Garden Inn, Fontana, the official hotel partner of Auto Club Speedway and Auto Club Dragway.

About the Auto Club Speedway Lefty’s Kids Club:Lefty’s Kids Club offers a free Green Flag membership for children 12 years old and under that offers children the exclusive opportunity to special events including free general admission seats on Friday and Saturday of NASCAR and INDYCAR weekends at Auto Club Speedway. Not only will Lefty’s Kids Club members attending NASCAR and INDYCAR weekends at Auto Club Speedway enjoy world-class racing, but they’ll also experience fun filled Kids Club activities in the all new LEFTY’S Fun Zone.This new children’s area offers everything from hands on educational programs, to photo opportunities, to kid-favorite foods and many more activities. For more information, visit www.leftyskidsclub.com or call 800-944-RACE (7223).

About The NASCAR Foundation: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc., (NASCAR) launched The NASCAR Foundation in January 2006. The NASCAR Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR family and its commitment to serving communities. The NASCAR Foundation seeks to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes throughout the nation with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play. For more information on The NASCAR Foundation, please visit the website: NASCAR.COM/foundation. Follow The NASCAR Foundation on facebook.com/NASCARFoundation or on Twitter: @NASCAR_FDN.